CYTOGENETIC STUDY ON THE EFFECT OF CADMIUM WITH AND WITHOUT VITAMIN C ON THE CHROMOSOMES OF SOME MAMMALS

Abstract

Cadmium is a highly toxic metal ion and is regarded as one of the most important environmental pollutants. It is released into the • environment essentially by human activities and flrids its way into the soil, air and water. Moreover, the extensive usage of cadmium

in industrial processes has resulted in occupational exposure to a variety of individuals. This study was performed to detect the degree of genetic abnormalities induced by cadmium and the possible role of vitamin C as a protective agent against cadmium genotoxicicy.

Materials and methods :

This work included both in vivo and in vitro studies.

1- In vivo studies :

In the present work, 144 adult male albino mice were used. They were classified into two main groups : .. 1- Group A (included 64 mice) : which was used for the study of

bone marrow chromosomal aberrations and mitotic index. It was divided into two groups : At (for the study of the effect of CdCh alone) and A2 (for the effect of CdCl2 together with vitamin C). Each of them included 32 mice which were divided into :

- The control animals (12 mice) were injected I.P. with distilled water daily for the same four periods as the corresponding experimental animals (3 control animals for each period). •